OVID VILLAGE.

 

The village of Ovid, a station on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway, ten miles eastward from St. Johns, the county‑seat, is a bright and enterprising town of about fifteen hundred inhabitants, and a point of con­siderable manufacturing importance. There are several fine brick business blocks in the central portion of the place, and for many miles about this is the centre of a rural trade of profitable proportions. The village streets are handsomely shaded, and are, moreover, additionally beautified with many attractive‑looking homes, which are in some cases costly and elegant.

The inhabitants are abreast of the times, and engage with much enterprising spirit in the business of promoting the interests of the village and expanding its value as a trading and manufacturing town.

While the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway was in course of construction J. C. E. Gumaer, of New York, and a land‑owner in Michigan, sought to have a railway‑station fixed upon the line in the township of Ovid, upon land which he owned on section 11, and delegated W. H. Faxon, of Duplain township, to consult the railway directors in the premises. Mr. Faxon accordingly visited H. P. Bald­win, a leading member of the board of directors in 1856, and offered to donate to the company two thousand dollars and five acres of land upon section 11, contingent upon the selection of that site for a station. Mr. Baldwin appeared to regard the proposition with favor, and promised to con­sider it. Meanwhile B. 0. Williams had put up a saw‑mill in Middlebury, on the railway line, one mile and a quar­ter cast of where Ovid station now is, and confidently expecting to have a railway depot assigned to that place he platted a town there and began to sell village lots. H. G. Higham, chief engineer of the road, and Amos Gould appeared anxious to join Williams in the enterprise, but for some reason negotiations were not satisfactory, and, to compromise existing differences, Williams, Gould, and Higham agreed to purchase land now occupied by the village of Ovid, and there, through Higham's efforts Ovid Station was located. Baldwin had evidently forgotten his promise to Faxon to “consider" the latter's proposition, for he declined to make any sign, and the first intimation to Faxon that the company had taken action as to Ovid was the announced success of the Williams, Gould, and Higham. scheme.

B. 0. Williams' plat of the village of Ovid was received for record May 27, 1858, and embraced the southeast quarter and east half of the cast half of the southwest quarter of section 12. Additions were made by E. N. Fitch, April 15, 1867; by J. Q. A. Patterson and P. C. Bassett, July 3, 1867; by Hamilton Stone, Dec. 7, 1867; and by W. H. Faxon, May 30, 1872, the latter addition embracing thirty acres in the south end of the west half of the northeast quarter of section 12.

With the prospect of a village at that point, came, of course, an opening for a trader, and the first to embrace the opportunity happened to be B. L Udell, who in the winter of 1856, opened a small store, with "a handful of goods," upon the lot now occupied by the Retan House. As the field widened a wider enterprise than Udell's estab­lishment was called for, and so, in May, 1857, W. C. Ben­nett came along, built a commodious frame store, stocked it liberally, and added, moreover, to his business of store­keeping that of buying staves, wood, etc., for shipment East, and in a little time pushed‑ his operations to import­ant proportions. Previous to Bennett's coming Richard Baylis had put up a saw‑mill, and contributed in no small degree to the general prosperous progess.

Udell, the pioneer store‑keeper, took a hurried. and some­what dramatic departure from the place in the fall of 1857, but the village kept on growing nevertheless, and early in 1858 received fresh impetus from the appearance of John Burkhart and Samuel Gilson among others, the former of whom began the manufacture of chairs and cabi­net‑ware, and the latter the business of cooperage. The outlook had grown at this juncture quite bright, and great things were fondly expected of the new town.

After Udell's departure Bennett monopolized the store­trade only a short time, for in the winter of 1857 A. B. Wood entered the field. In May, 1858, W. H. Faxon and 0. M. Pearl, store‑keepers at Duplain, rented Wood's store, formerly a dwelling‑bouse standing upon ground now occu­pied by the Potter Block, stocked it with goods, and engaged John A. Potter, then from the East on a visit, to take charge of the business, Faxon and Pearl themselves remaining, in Ovid. In March, 1860, Mr. Faxon removed permanently to Ovid to take charge of his interests at that point, and directly after his coming built upon the site of the present Phoenix Block what was then considered the best store in Clinton County. Before that time the commercial interests of the village had been additionally furthered by the erection of'a grist‑will by Park & Kellogg, the opening of a hardware­store by E. D. Gregory, a drug‑store by John Fitch (who soon sold out to Charles Farmer), and a clothing‑store by F. L. T. Hasse. There was, besides, considerable business in the way of' the manufacture of cooperage, and from that time forward the commercial progress of Ovid was rapid. Mr. Hasse, who commenced business in Ovid as a clothing merchant in August, 1859, has continued to follow the business in the village without interruption to the present time, and is the only one of the then merchants of Ovid now in trade.

    A village tavern was built in 1857 by J. S. Bennett, and kept by him some time. It was called the Park House because it occupied land owned by Josiah B. Park, and con­tinues to serve its original purpose to‑day as the Clinton House.

  The first brick store in Ovid was built by Anthony Swarthout in 1869, and ]eased to C. Beebe & Sons for a drug‑store, and the second by Henry Montague. The Phcenix Block was built in 1873 by Charles Farmer, An­thony Swarthout, W. C. Bennett, and S. 0. King and later the Marvin, Potter, and De Camp Blocks were added to the town's architectural features.

 

POST‑OFFICE.             I

 

A post‑office was established at Ovid in 1859", and J. B. Park appointed postmaster. 0‑%e office was ‑kept at first in the Park House, but soon transfdrred to W. 0. Ben­nett's store. W. H. Faxon was appointed in 1860, and in 1865 resigned in favor of Capt. A. B. Wood, who was suc­ceeded in 1866 by L. T. Southworth, and the latter in turn by L. C. Mead in 1868, since which time Mr. Mead has been the incumbent,

The business of the office during the three months ending March 31, 1880, will be found detailed in the following:

 

  Received for sales of stamps, stamped envelopes, etc...................................... $580.00

  11 " box rents .................................................................................................... 55.00

Amount of money‑orders issued ................................................................... ..... 2463.53

11 11 paid ............................................................................................................. . I          I                                                1373.10

 

OVID'S PHYSICIANS.

 

Twenty physicians. have pursued the practice of their profession at Ovid between 1858 and 1880, and of the twenty there are still seven in the village. The pioneer doctor was E. V. Chase, who opened his office in 1857 and remained until 1860. His field of practice is now at Elsie, in Duplain township. Dr. S. C. King, who came next to Dr. Chase, in 1859, has practiced in Ovid con­tinuously ever since.

Herewith is presented a list of the names of those who have practiced medicine in the village, the schools to which they belonged, the date of location where it could be a ascer­tained, and duration of stay :

 

Name                                                       Arrival                     Stay                         School

 

E.V Chase                                               1858                        5 years                    A

S.C. King                                 1859*                      ………                    A

Charles Armstrong                                  1860                        3 years                    A

E.S. Leonard                                            1860                        7 years                    E

Dr. Baughman                                         1863                        2 years                    A

J.B. McLean                                           1864                        2 years                    A

Charles Knapp                                        1864                        2 years                    A

Dr. Tirrell                                                1870*                      ………                    E

Dr. Wells                                                 ……                        2 years                    A

C.W. Pengra                                            1875*                      ………                    A

J.F. Abbott                                             1875*                      ………                    A

O.B. Campbell                                        1878*                      ………                    A

M.R. Yuill                                               …….                       ………                    A

Dr. Harris                                                …….                       1 year                      H

Dr. Burch                                                ……..                      2 years                    H

Dr. McNeal                                             …….                       1 year                      H

J.D. Tirrell                                              1879*                      ……..                      E

Dr. Gregory                                            …….                       6 mos.                     H

Dr. Beals                                                 …….                       6 mos.                     H

Dr. (Mrs) Sprague                                  …….                       ……..                      H                                                                            

 

 

 

 

    OVID’S LAWYERS.            

    The history of the legal profession in Ovid may be quickly told. Richard Baylis, who in the fall of 1856 built the first saw‑mill at Ovid, began to practice law in 1858, about which time E. N. Fitch divided the legal business with him, although the business they had to divide must have been exceedingly small. B. H. Scovill and John Van Blarken came next in succession, and in 1870 W. W. Dennis began a village practice which be still continues. S. W. Baker, William H. Castle, and A. D. Gris­wold were later accessions. Mr. Griswold, who was at one time United States District Attorney at Grand Rapids, is Mr. Dennis' law‑partner, and, with William H. Castle, this firm represents the legal profession in Ovid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCHES.

 

OVID METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Ovid Methodist Episcopal class was organized by Rev. J. Fowler, in charge of the Duplain Circuit, in the village school‑house in 1860. The organizing members numbered but four,‑H. C. Shiffer and wife, W. H. Faxon and wife‑ W. H. Faxon being class‑leader. Services were held once a fortnight in the school‑house until 1862, and after that until the spring of 1868 once a week. At the period last mentioned a church edifice was erected and dedicated by Dr. Joslyn, of Albion College. At that time the class was strong in membership, and the society in prosperous circumstances. In 1870 there was a revival season, and material additions were made to the list of member

 

Succeeding Mr. Fowler, the pastors have been Revs. H. C. Peck, B. S. Pratt, T. Clark,  J. Gulick, William Mc­Knigbt, U. Mason,  A. McEwan,  J. N. Dayton,  J. T. Id­ding,  W. Doust,  A. J. Russell, James Hamilton, S. P. Warner, G. W. Sherman, the latter being now on the work. A parsonage was rented in 1875, and purchased in September, 1879. That, as well as the church property, the society now holds clear of debt. The church member­ship stands at present at one hundred and ninety‑two. The class‑leaders are H. A. Potter and E. T. Crosswell. The trustees are H. A. Potter, E. Netheway, Anthony Swart­bout, W. H. Faxon, and A. Schenck. The Sunday‑school has an average attendance of one hundred and twenty, and has for nine years been in charge of Anthony Swartbout, who has now a corps of twenty teachers.The school library numbers three hundred volumes.             

 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OVID.

                Feb. 11, 1860, a meeting was held in the Ovid school­ house for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church.  Elder P.C. Bassett was chosen moderator, and E. Potter clerk, whereupon letters were presented by the following persons: P. C. Bassett, Jane E. Bassett, Edward and SophiePotter, Anthony H. and Elsena Lougeor, Margaret Longcor, Jacob W. and Emily Welter, John and Sophia Gleason, Rebecca Van Voorheis, John L. and Aurelia Larne, Daniel E. and Mary Ernsbarger, Maria Ferry, and Mary Winfield. The articles of faith of the Michigan State Conference were adopted, and February 22d the church was recognized by a church council, in which Revs. J. Booth, of Fentonville, J. McLeod, of Laingsburg, George W. Lewis, Deacon French, and Brother Rose, of Owosso and Bennington, took part. Rev. P. C. Bassett was chosen pastor, Lewis Travis deacon, and E. Potter clerk‑, and membership effected with the Shiawassee Association.

 

Shortly after 6rganization the church membership began to increase, and Dec. 14, 1865, the society's new house of worship was dedicated.

 

 

Elder Bassett continued his pastorate until March, 1866, and after him Revs. J. If. Morrison, A. W. Baker, H. A. Rose, M. Mulcahy, E. Mills, and H. Pettit occupied the charge. Mr. Pettit resigned in January, 1878, after a service of nearly five years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Waxman, the present pastor.

Since 1860 the church has received four hundred and eight members, and retains now one hundred and twenty­five. A. S. Rose, Nathan Herrick, and H. N. Mapes are the deacons, and H. N. Mapes superintendent of the Sun­day‑scliool, which bas an average attendance of one hundred and fourteen scholars and a corps of nine teagSers.

 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

 

At a meeting held at the office of the Ovid Reyister, Jan. 30, 1871, there were present Dr. C. V. Beebe, David Davis, William G. Fulkerson, R. G. Young, L. C. Mead, Frank Davis, D. H. Moore, F. L. T. Hasse, John Bennett, John Potter, J. G. Mabbitt, 11. M. Enos, M. H. Goff, D. A. Howe, J. S. Kribbs, George C. Beebe, Harry Marvin, John Q. Patterson, T. M. Scoville, and J. W. Fitzgerald. At that mecting those present subscribed to the following agreement:

We, the undersigned citizens of Ovid, herewith form ourselves into a ten1porary organization for the purpose of conducting Cori gregat ional services in this village semi­weekly for the next three months, and that we will indi­vidually assist in paying all expenses that may occur; meet­in‑s to be held in Metropolitan Hall until better accommo. dations can be procured."

Rev. William Mulder, of Laingsburg, was engaged to preach 11 for expenses and what the society saw fit to give him." Feb. 13, 1871, a company of twenty‑two persons formed 11 a body for the purpose of organizing themselves into a Congregational Church;" and in the Baptist church, March 3, 1871, a permanent organization was effected, on which occasion nine persons were received into church fel­lowsbip. They were C. V. Beebe, Maria D. Beebe, R. G. Young, Jennie Young, Annie Davis, Mrs. C. A. Bennett, Susan Beebe, Mary Ray, and H. M. Enos. March 26, 1871, C. V. Beebe and H. M. Enos were chosen deacons; R. G. Young clerk and treasurer;‑ and March 28, J. C. Darragh, George Fox, J. G. Mabbitt, and R. G. Young in trustees.

Measures were at once commenced for the erection of a house of worship, and in 1872 it was dedicated, Rev. J. B. Dawson being called to the pastorate. Consequent upon the building of the church the society became financially embarrassed, and the property being sold under a mortgage the active history of the organization ceased for a time. Sturdy efforts resulted, however, in the restoration of the property and the resumption of worship, and latterly the progress of the church has been gratifying, Rev. D. L. Eaton is the pastor, and preaches every Sunday. The deacons are Thomas Neal, G. L. Lignian, and L W. Drake; and the trustees, C. W. Marvin, L. C. Mead, Horace Brad­ley, E. C. White, and George Sowers. There are about seventy members in the church and one.hundred scholars in the Sunday‑school, of which George Sewers is the super. intendent.

 

OVID MISSION (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH).

The first Protestant Episcopal services held in Ovid were conducted by Rev. Henry Banwell, of St. Johns, Feb. 1, 1866, and from that time occasional services were held in Ovid by the rectors of churches at St. Johns and Owosso until 1875, when Ovid was established as a mission, and Rev. S. S. Chapin taking charge thereof, has remained in charge ever since. Early services were held in the Con­gregational and Baptist churches, later at the residence of the rector, and now in the society's church edifice, which was completed in July, 1880. The communicants numBer tWCDty‑five, and the church is in a flourishing condition.

 

THE OVID YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

was organized March 25, 18i9, with fifteen members, W. Ross being chosen president. Meetings are held twice each week in Marvin Block, for prayer on Wednesday night and Bible study on Sunday afternoon. The member­ship is now twenty‑five, and the officers as follows: Frank Allen, President; Sarah Reed, Vice‑President; Charles Waldron, Secretary; P. B. Smith, Assistant Secretary; 1). Doremus, Treasurer.

 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND LIST OF OFFICERS.

A legislative act, approved March 2‑1, 1869, provided that “All that tract of country situated in the township of Ovid, in the county of Clinton, and distinguished as the southeast quarter of section 12, the east half of the south­west quarter of section 12, the south three‑eightls or the northeast quarter of section 12, the south three‑eighths of the east half of the northwest quarter of section 12, the northeast quarter of section 13, the east half of the north­west quarter of section 13, in town 7 north, of range 1 west, is hereby constituted the village of Ovid."

The first election was ordered to be hold in the village school‑house on the second Monday in April, 1869, and was bold accordingly April 12. DeWitt C. Harrington and Henry C. Barber were chosen judges of election, and L. T. Southworth clerk. After that the meeting adjourned to Metropolitan Hall, where the election was held, the whole number of votes cast being two hundred and twenty ­seven. The result of that first election is here appended.

 

PRE,SIDENT.

 

Harry Marvin* .................................................................................                                116

  Abner B. Wood, Jr ...........................................................................             I                                     109

 

RECORDER.

  B.  Scoville ........................................................................................                       113

  D. C. Harrington* ...........................................................................                       113

 

TREASURER.

  James C. Darragh* ..... ..................................................................................                    118

  F. L. T. Hasse............... .................................................................................                    107

 

  ASSESSOR.

  F. L. Davis*................. ....................................................................                                 119

  H. A. Potter ......................................................................................                        103

 

TRUSTEES.

 

Hamilton Stone* ............................................................................. ............                   124

  Brazil Marvin* ................................................................................. ............                   113

  A. H. Dunham* ................................................................................ ............                   113

George Fox* ................................................................................................... I                                    116

 Samuel B. Leddick...........................................................................                       115

  William Rose" ..................................................................................                                 115

  William J. Gibbs .............................................................................                       110

  Abram Schenck ................................................................................                 101

  John Q. Patterson ...........................................................................                        105

  Anthony Swarthout .......................................................................                                 109

  F. A. Voorhies .................................................................................                 110

  Alsynus E. Gray .............................................................................                                 105

 

* Elected.

 

 

At the first meeting of the council, Perry Phelps was appointed Marshal, Kingsley Beckwith, Street Commissioner, Henry Cuddeback and F. A. Voorhies Fire‑Wardens, Perry Phelps Poundmaster, and A. B. Wood Village Surveyor.

Herewith is presenteda list of persons chosen to the chief village offices from 1870 to 1880.

1870‑President, F. A. Voorhies; Recorder, D. C. Har­rington; Treasurer, Charles N. Cowan; Assessor, F. S. Davis; Trustees, Harry Marvin, L. F. Southwofth, William Rose.

1871.‑President, J. H. Robson; Recorder, B. H. Sco­ville; Treasurer, D. C. Harrington; Assessor, F. S. Davis; Trustees, George D. Sowers, 0. H. Corbett, and James A. Cooper, for two years ; Harry Marvin, William Harris, and Hamilton Stone, for one year.

1872.‑President, J. H. Robson; Recorder, B. H. Sco­ville; Treasurer, Brazil Marvin; Assessor, F. S. Davis; Trustees, S. B. Leddick, William Rose, J. Q. Patterson, and Geor1ge Fox.

1873‑President, Harry Marvin; Recorder, Charles M. Hagadorn; Treasurer, Brazil Marvin; Assessor, F. S. Davis; Trustees, J. C. E. Gumaer, Hamilton Stone, D. C. Harrington.

1874.‑President, S. B. Leddick; Recorder, Charles M. Hagadorn ; Treasurer, Brazil Marvin ; Assessor, F. S. Davis; Trustees, Thomas 11. Meehan, Harry Marvin, George C. Beebe.

1875.‑Presiderkt, S. B. Leddick; Recorder, H. L. Me­Carty; Treasurer, Brazil Marvin; Assessor, Henry M. Enos; Trustees, F. S. Davis, Thomas B. Southworth, J. N. Brokaw.

1876.‑President, T. M. Scoville; Recorder, C. M. Hagga­dorn; Treasurer, E. C. White; Assessor, D. C. Harrington ; Trustees, George W. Stickney, Joseph Barden, Chauncey Mulock *

1877.‑President, J. F. Harris; Recorder, Charles M. Hapdorn; Treasurer, E. C. White ; Assessor, H. A. Potter; Trustees, J. N. Brokaw, George W. Wortman, James A. Cooper.

1878.‑President, D. H. Misner; Recorder, Samuel Van Blarcom ; Treasurer, Edgar C. White; Assessor, J. C. E. Gumaer; Trustees, Charles Bement, Hugh Morgan, F. L. T. Hasse.

1879.‑President, John Sewers; Recorder, F. W. Lain­phere; Treasurer, E. C. White; Assessor, D. C. Harrington ; Trustees, F. II. Scofield, Lewis C. Mead, Simon W. Rose.

1880.‑President, Ezekiel De Camp; Recorder, C. M. Hag,adorn ; Treasurer, E. C. White; Trustees, H. A. Potter, George M. Edwards, Charles Cowan.

 

 

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

Ovid village contains among her manufacturing idustries two important enterprises, the Ovid Carriap‑Works and Robertson & Co.'s cooperage, in both of which the aggregate force of men employed is upwards of one hundred.

Ovid Carriage‑Works .‑The senior member of the Ovid Carriage‑Works, located at Ovid, Clinton Co., Mich., Mr. F. A. Scofield, in connection with Mr. E. A. Reed, first began the manufacture of buggies on a limited scale during the year 1877. Later, Mr. Reed's interest was purchased and Mr. W. J. Danforth became a partner, remaining less than a year, when he was succeeded by Mr. James A. Cooper, a prosperous hardware merchant of Ovid. This partnership has proved a very active and lucrative one. During the brief period of nine months the business has been increased to three times its former proportions in every department, buildings having been erected, and machinery of the most approved character been introduced for the more expedi­tious and perfect execution of their orders. Many cutters are manufactured, though buggies are made a specialty, and the superior quality of the latter is universally conceded. Sixty men are employed in the various depart­ments, including planing, moulding, resawing, matching etc. each piece bcing submitted to personal inspection be­fore approval. The present year the business will reach $140,000 in amount, and is regarded as the most complete and extensive in the State in this particular branch of in­dustry.

 

R. A. Robertson & Co., of New York, proprietors of the cooperage, set their business in motion at Ovid in the suni­mer of 1866, and appointed John Culver to manage the enterprise. But six men were employed at first, but the enlargement of the business took early hold, and continued steadily until from forty to fifty men represented the work­ing force, and about three acres of land were required to contain the buildings, and give yard room to the con­cern. These latter statements apply to the present condi­tion of the establishment, in which the daily product is from two to three hundred hopheads, barrels, etc., which are shipped to Eastern and foreign markets. The firm is repre­sented at Ovid by Thomas H. Meaghan, who began as a

workman for them in 1866, and who has been their manager since 1973.

 

Ovid Flouring‑Mills. ‑The site of Ovid's first grist‑mill, built in 1859, by Park & Kellogg, is now occupied by a commodious three‑story structure fitted with four run of stones, and engaged largely in the manufacture of flour for shipment to Eastern markets. Schenck & Sowers, the pres­

ent proprietors, have been in control of the property since March, 1878.

 

Dunham & Kimball started a foundry in 1865, and this business is still pursued upon the same premises by Haight & Guio, who took possession in March, 1878. They em­ploy eight people, and manufacture general machine‑castings.

 

THE PRESS OF OVID.

 

Ovid has two newspapers,‑The Ovid Register and The Clinton and Shiawassee Union.  The Register elder of the two. It was established July 1, 1866, by J. W. Wickwire, from whom it soon passed to the possession of “ Happy" Jack Leonard, who disposed of it to H. Ega­broad, Successively, A. B. Wood, J. W. Fitzgerald, and Rich & Rutherford became the proprietors. Rich soon withdrew, and, after carrying it on alone for a brief time, Rutherford took in B. M. Pierson as a partner. Rutherford retired soon after, and Pierson struggling to‑keep up the concern alone, gave up the task after a six months' experi­ence, when the property fell to Reeves & Carrier, Aug. 8, 1873. To that time the paper had maintained a precarious and uncertain existence, but the new publishers introduced a vigorous life into it, and, as a result, conducted it with much success for upwards of six years. At the end of that time Carrier & Carrier, the present publishers, succeeded Reeves & Carrier. From the start in 1866 The Reyister has been an avowedly independent journal in politics. It is issued every Friday, contains thirty‑two columns of printed matter, and has a claimed circulation of seven hun­dred.

The Clinton and Shiawassee Union, a quarto sheet of Republican politics, was founded by J. W. Fitzgerald and J. W. Walsh. The first issue was dated June 28, 1879. Fitzgerald became the sole publisher April 3, 1880, and still conducts it.

 

BANKING.

 

Ovid's first bank was the private corporation founded in 1868 by J. C. Darragh & Co., including J. C. Darragh, formerly of Monroe, Mich., and S. S. Walker and Charles Kipp, of St. Johns. This firm was succeeded in 1873 by Sowers & White, who still maintain the private character of' the bank, but carry on a general banking business.

 

OVID UNION SCHOOL.

 

Justly the Union School of Ovid village is an object of local pride, and it may be added, moreover, that the school building is architecturally a conspicuous and engaging feature of local landscape. Although the subject of erect­ing the present handsome edifice was agitated in 1867, and $12,000 voted therefore in September of that year, the house was‑ not completed until 1870. The building is of brick, three stories in height, and occupies a command­ing elevation at the head of Gratiot Street.

The following  is an extract from the annual report of Pro­fessor W. S. Webster, the principal, presented March 26, 1880:

 

Whole nu.mber of days taught:

High school ..................................................................................... 60

Grammar department .................. .................................. 60

Second intermediate ....................................................................... 60

  First intermediate ............................................................................ 60

  Second primary ................................................................................ 60

First primary ................................ .................................. 60

  Total ............................................... .................................. 360

 

Whole number enrolled, by departments:

    High school ................................... I ............. ........................... 42

Grammar department ...................................................................... 38

  Second intermediate ...................................................................... 52

  First intermediate ........................................................................... 62

Second primary ...................................... ........................... 74

First primary .................................................................................... 54

 

I

 

Highest number belonging at any time, by departments:

               High school ...............................................40

          Grammar department ...................................38

          Second intermediate ....................................52

          First intermediate ........                                60

          Second primary                                                     71               

          First primary .............................................49

 

High6st number belonging at any one

       timep in entire school ...................                 310

 

 

 

 

Number of days' attendance, by departments:

 

  High school ............................................................................. ................                       2,184

Grammar department ............................................................... ..................        1,922

  Second intermediate ............................................................... ....................                    2,738.5

    First intermediate .................................................................................... I               3,094

Second primary .............................................................................................                   3,444

  First primar)r .................................................................................................                   2,322

  Total ................................................................................................................                   15,704.5

 

Average attendance, by departments:

High school ....................... .....................                  36.4

Grammar department ..................................            32

Second intermediate ........                                       ......  45.6

First intermediate ............. ..........                             51.5

Second primary ................. ............................       ....57.4

First primary ............................................            38.7

 

Average in entire school .....................                              261.6

 

Days lost by absence, by departments:

High school ...............................................           138

Grammar department .................................             239

Second intermediate .......                                                  296.5

First intermediate .......................................            392

Second primary ..........................................           641

First primary .............................................           409

 

Total number of days lost by absence ............                      2115.5

 

The time lost by absence is 14.47 per cent. of entire attendance.

 

Non‑resident pupils:

High school ........................................................................................ ...................................      19

Grammar department .......................................................................... …                                                 2

 

Total .................................................21

 

SECRET ORDERS.

 

OVID LODGE, 'No. 127, F. AND A. M.,  was organized Feb. 27, 1860, in the Park House. A. B. Wood, Jr., was W. M.; J. B. Park, S. W. ; William E. Sickles, J. W.; J. M. Fitch, Secretary; C. D. Rose, Treas­urer; J. A. Potter, S. D.; A. F. Van Voorhies, J. D.; A. D. Smith, Tiler. Since the organization the Masters have been A. B. Wood, Jr., J. A. Potter, W. H. Faxon, L. T. Southwortb, S. C. King, Charles Case, Abram Schenck, E. C. White, and M. R. Royce. The officers now are M. R. Royce, W. M.; Ansel Barnes, S. W. ; P. A. Winfield, J. W.; E. Mallonee, Secretary; John Sowers, Treasurer; Charles Cowan, S. D.; Riley Watkins, J. D.; John Link, Tiler. The lodge has on active membership of seventy ­eight, and occupies handsomely‑appointed quarters in Potter Block.

 

OVID LODGE, No. 97, 1. 0. 0. F., was organized March 14, 1866, and chartered Jan. 14, 1867. The charter members were John Gillam, Charles Gillam, H. C. Maine, F. S. Cushman, F. L. T. Hassee, M. Nichols. The present officers are B. M. Merrill, N. G.; Charles Pengra, V. G. ; J. A. Potter, Secretary; M. Gilbert, P. S.; P. H. Shannon, Treasurer. The lodge mem­bership is seventy‑five, and of these forty are active par­ticipants in lodge affairs. Meetings are held in Marvin Block, where there is a commodious and handsomely furnished lodge.

 

OVID LODGE, No. 29, A. 0. U. W., was organized Dec. 22, 1877, with twelve members. The first official list was C. W. Pengra, P. M. W.; L. C. Mead,

M. W.; J. H. Terrill, G. F.; F. W. Lamphere, R.; E. C. White, F.; S. C. King Receiver. The lodge has a mem­bership of sixty‑five, and meets in Masonic Hall. The officers serving in 1880 are L. C. Mead, P. M. W.; E. C. White, M. W.; A. Atherton, G. F.; S. W. Rose, 0.; F. W. Lamphere, Recorder; E. Armstrong, F.; N. J. Clark, Receiver; G. W. Wortman, Guide; Amos Covert, 1. W.; W. A. Ross, 0. W.

 

OVID LODGE, No. 103, GOOD TEMPLARS, was organized July, 1879, in the Baptist church, with seventeen members. That number has Dow advanced to seventy. The officers for 1880 are R. G. Watkins, W. C. T.; Mrs. F. G. Hills, W. V. T.; Miss Cora Gray, Treas­urer; E. Reed, Recording Secretary; David Flanagan, Financial Secretary; William Berry, Marshal; Ed. Beebe, 0. G.; Carrie Smith, I. G.

 

COURT WORKINGMAN'S PRIDE, A. 0. F., was chartered March 31, 1879. The charter members were Edward S. Smith, Win. S. McGeary, T. F. Smith,

Daniel Thomas, David Flanagan, J. B. Valiet, W. A. Ross, W. S. Tidswell, B. M. Bosley. The membership is now thirty. The officers are Daniel Thomas, C. R.; B. M. Bosley, S. C. R.; J. B, Valict, See.; W. A. Ross, A. S.; D. Flanagan, Treas; W. S. McGeary, S. W.; W. S. Tids­well, J. W. Morris Holmes, S. B.; D. Fish, J. B.; E. S. Smith, P. C. R.

 

OVID LODGE, No. 15, ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPERANCE, was organized Nov. 14, 1879, with fourteen members, and includes DOW twenty‑four. The oecers for 1880 are A. Atherton, S. C.; Charles House, V. C.; P. Wilbur, P. C.; H. M. Paeik, See.; R. Watkins, F. See.; D. A. Haight, Treas.; N. W. Jenkins, Herald; Mrs. D. A. Haight, Deputy Herald; Mrs. P. Hills, Chaplain; J. A. Hubbell, Guard.

 

OVID FIRE DEPARTMENT.

 

Ovid has had its share of fires, but they have proved visitations of value, since in the stead of the unsightly wooden structures destroyed have risen imposing business blocks of brick. The 11 bucket brigade" did fire duty for the town until 1875, when a hook‑and‑hidder company was added to tU'fire‑ffiditint, force. The company was chris­toned Washington, No. 1, and started with twenty‑two members. S. 'W. Rose was chosen foreman, William Stevenson first assistant, and Henry McCarty second as­sistant. E. P. Corbisher, who was elected chief en"ineer of the department, remained in that office until 1880, when he was succeeded by William Stevenson. S. W. Rose, the present foreman of the company, has served continuously as such since 1875, except during 1877, when William Stevenson was the incumbent. A serviceable hook‑and­ladder truck was built in the village in 1875, and that ap­paratus is still in use. Washington, No. 1, has about forty members, and is considered as a spirited and valuable organization.

 

A TRIPLE TRAGEDY.

 

Aug. 26, 1870, Ovid was called upon to mourn over a terrible calamity, in which the lives of three valuable citi­zens were suddenly sacrificed. The three men‑named Sanford House, J. C. Brewster, and ‑ Higgins‑were on the day in question standing in front of Harrison & Harrington's steam saw‑mill when, without warning, the boiler of the mill exploded with terrific force, and the fly­ing fragments, passing in the path occupied by the three unfortunates, killed them instantly.